Vasa & Grand Travers Race Details

Thu, Feb  12, 2004

PACKET PICK-UP Packet pick up will be held at the Grand Traverse Resort on Friday, February 13 from 12 noon until 10 PM. Packets will also be available at the warming hut near the Start/Finish area beginning at 7:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday for the Gran Travers. 

VASA PASTA Pasta dinners will be served at St. Francis High School, 123 E. 11^th St. in Traverse City on Friday night from 5:00PM to 8:00 PM. Cost is $7.00 per person or $25.00 per family. Proceeds benefit the Traverse City St. Francis Cross Country Ski Team and the St. Francis Band Program. A ski waxing area will be available at the school. More details and a map will be included in your race packet.

START/FINISH AREA The Subaru Vasa start and finish are in the same area, located off Bunker Hill Road, one mile east of US 31 in Acme.

STARTING TIMES:

TIMING We are timing with the CHIP system.  The timing Chip has to be returned at the end of the race or a $30.00 fee will be charged to the skier.  Volunteers will be at the finish to help skiers remove the chip and place in marked boxes.  The skier must pass over the mat at the start line to begin their time and pass over the mat at the finish to end their time. 

DO NOT CROSS THE START/FINISH LINE AT ANY TIME EXCEPT WHEN IN THE RACE!!  YOU MUST GO AROUND THE CHUTE TO GET IN YOUR WAVE, NOT OVER THE START/FINISH LINE!!!!

WAVE CRITERIA AND CORRAL INFORMATION Wave Criteria and corral information is based on the 2003 Vasa and will be provided in your race packet. 

PARKING Parking is available at Bunker Hill road, a short walk/ski to the Start/Finish area. 

Warning!!  There is no parking on Bartlett or Bunker Hill Roads.  Vehicles parked on Bartlett or Bunker Hill will be towed!

SKI STYLE Skiers may race either FREESTYLE or CLASSICAL.  Separate awards will be given in each style.  You must select one or the other when you register.  Those who do not select a style on the registration form will be scored in the FREESTYLE race.  The VASA assumes that skiers will be honest.  CLASSICAL skiers are expected to ski diagonal stride throughout the race! 

THE RACE COURSE The trail is wide enough for both diagonal striders and skaters.  Be considerate to all skiers and do NOT skate on the diagonal track.  Slower skiers should give up the track and stay to the right. 

RESULTS Results will be published in the Sunday edition of the Traverse City Record Eagle and at the awards ceremony.  They will also be on the web site at www.vasa.org 

VASA AWARDS PARTY Awards are at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme at 4:30 PM, Saturday, February 14.  Food and Beverages are available for purchase, door prizes from Salomon , Ski Trab Skis, and Raffles from Salomon, Fisher and Infinity. Music by Sun Radius Steel Pan Band during mixer from 4:30 to 5:30 PM.  Free photos to those that would like to mark the occasion. The VASA awards presentation will begin at 5:30 PM. 

CLOTHING BAGS Clothing bags are available at packet pick up.  Make sure bag number corresponds to bib number.  Clothing Bags deposited at the drop off site will be placed in the Big Tent in Numerical order and supervised.

FOOD All Sport, water, fruit and specialties of the house will be provided at each food stations donated by Pepsi and Olesons. 

PROTESTS The race jury will adjudicate all protests at 2PM on race day.  Submit protests to the Race Manager at the finish line by 2 PM. 

DROPPING OUT!!!!! Do NOT exit the course except at an aid station or the finish line.  You MUST report to a Food or Medical station along the trail and give them your bib number OR Report to the medical staff at the finish line.  Remember to return your Chip to the finish line! 

UNACCOUNTED SKIERS The VASA staff must successfully account for all skiers who have started.  ALL SKIERS MUST REPORT IF THEY HAVE EXITED THE COURSE!  Any skier who exits course without giving notice will be charged for the resulting search and rescue. 

INJURIES If you find an injured skier, please stop and ask if the skier needs help.  Notify the first Aid Station, volunteer or National Nordic Ski Patroller that you see.  Never ignore an injured skier, it could be you! 

COURSE CLOSINGS

SATURDAY: Oregon Chai, Hot Spiced Latte, donated by BEANERS along with cookies and fruit donated by Olesons will be served to all skiers at the Finish!

POLE REPLACEMENT A limited number of poles will be available at the Start/Finish area and all aid stations. Please return borrowed poles to the finish line tent. If you would like to donate an orphan pole please bring it to packet pick-up on Friday or the Start /Finish area on Saturday. 

SUNDAY The Gran Travers Classic Only Race will be a mass start race at 9:00 AM.  The Start/Finish Area, chip timing, parking, clothing bags, protests, dropping out, and injury information is the same as the VASA(see above). The race course will be double tracked. Please let a faster skier pass by stepping out of the track. Be courteous. Results will be in the Traverse City Record Eagle and posted on the website @ www.vasa.org.  Awards will be presented in the big tent immediately following the race. The only food station for the Grand Travers is located at the Start/Finish line.  

Gordie Howe’s Family Fun Day starts at 12:00 Noon. Be sure to join us for food and fun for the whole family.